The fun open top cousin to the MINI hatch has arrived in Australia in its third generation, with prices starting from a shade under $38k.
MINI Australia has brought the third-generation MINI Convertible to our shores with a starting price of $37,900 before factoring in on-road costs. Despite being MINI and having a fabric roof, MINI says they’re aiming to draw a near 50 percent male split of buyers.
There’s no overt indication that the MINI Convertible has historically been leaned towards a certain gender of buyers, but that the numbers of female buyers outnumbered the male by a significant margin. But, if MINI has their way, the figures should even out with this new version.
The more powerful and better equipped Cooper S Convertible comes in with a starting price $45,400, gaining front sports seats, John Cooper Works leather steering wheel, cloth/leather upholstery, satellite navigation, MINI Driving Modes, LED headlights, and a set of 17-inch wheels over the standard Convertible’s 16-inchers.
Both cars share a structure that’s altogether larger than the previous second generation MINI, with a 28mm longer wheelbase, a 98mm increase in overall length and a 44mm increase in width. For rear passengers, the increase in kneeroom by 36mm will certainly be appreciated, while luggage space is also larger by 45-litres.
The Cooper Convertible uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine plucked from BMW, delivering 100kW and 220Nm, marking a 10kW and 60Nm power and torque increase from the outgoing model. For the Cooper S Convertible, power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder also from BMW’s TwinPower Turbo family that outputs 141kW and 280Nm of torque.
Both cars achieve the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.7 and 7.1 seconds, respectively, while still being able to be quite frugal with fuel if BMW’s claimed combined cycle consumption figures are to be believed: 5.3-litres/100km for the Cooper Convertible and 5.8-litres/100km for the Cooper S Convertible.
To keep the MINI’s go-kart-like handling characteristics intact while being a composed chariot on uneven urban roads, the MINI’s suspension set up consists of single-joint McPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension, working with a Servotronic Electric Power Steering sytem.
Tony Sesto, General Manager of MINI Australia, said: “Building on the underpinnings of the latest generation MINI hatch, the new MINI Convertible combines trademark MINI levels of performance and driving dynamics and distinctive contemporary style with a larger and more comfortable cabin and the thrill of open top driving. And when you add in the higher levels of premium equipment for comfort, safety and convenience and lower prices, the new MINI Convertible offers outstanding value as well.”
Check out our Showroom for more on MINI’s full range of vehicles, including specifications and prices.
